Streamlabs Game Capture Black Screen — Windows 11/10 Fix Guide

Why Streamlabs Game Capture Shows a Black Screen

When streaming or recording gameplay with Streamlabs Desktop (SLD), many users encounter a frustrating issue where the capture source displays only a black screen. This problem typically stems from graphics processing permissions, incorrect GPU assignment, or security restrictions. This comprehensive guide covers both the root causes and step-by-step solutions.

Table of Contents

• Common Causes
• Cause Comparison Table
• Resolution Steps
• Quick Q&A
• Final Checklist
• FAQ

Common Causes

This error occurs when Streamlabs fails to obtain proper rendering permissions for specific games or GPU configurations. The most common culprits include:

• Game and SLD running on different GPUs (common on laptops with integrated and dedicated graphics)
• SLD running without administrator privileges, limiting capture permissions
• DirectX or Vulkan-based games taking priority over graphics resources

Technical Background

While Windows 10/11 automatically manages GPU selection, some laptops still misidentify the default GPU. This is particularly problematic on systems with RTX or Radeon graphics, where Streamlabs may default to the "power-saving GPU," resulting in frequent black screen captures.

Cause Comparison Table

Cause	Description	Solution	Notes
GPU Mismatch	Game and SLD using different graphics processors	Assign both to the same GPU in Windows Settings	Graphics Settings > App-specific GPU assignment
Permission Issues	SLD running without administrator rights	Run as administrator	Shortcut > Properties > Compatibility tab
Exclusive Fullscreen / API or Anti-Cheat Limitation	DX12/Vulkan titles or anti-cheat may block capture hooks	Use borderless windowed + Window Capture, or switch the game to DX11 if available	Some titles (e.g., Destiny 2, CS2) cannot be Game Captured

Resolution Steps

Follow these steps in order to resolve most black screen capture issues:

1. Run Streamlabs Desktop with administrator privileges.
2. Ensure the game runs with matching permissions (both as admin or both as standard user).
3. In Windows Graphics Settings, assign both SLD and your game to the same GPU.
   Click 'Browse' to add Streamlabs Desktop, then select High performance under graphics preference and save.
4. In your game capture source properties, change Capture Mode to "Capture specific window".
5. Select the game's process as the target executable.
6. In Game Capture properties, toggle Use anti-cheat compatibility hook (on/off) and test again.
7. Disable third-party overlays (Steam, Discord, GeForce Experience/Radeon Overlay, Xbox Game Bar, MSI Afterburner/RTSS), then relaunch both the game and SLD.

Click 'Browse' to locate and select the Streamlabs Desktop executable — example from Windows Graphics Settings.

Select 'High performance' to assign Streamlabs Desktop to your dedicated GPU — example from Windows Graphics Settings.

OS-Specific Differences

Windows 11: Settings → System → Display → Graphics
Windows 10 (2004+): Settings → System → Display → Graphics settings
On some older Windows 10 builds you may also see an NVIDIA “Run with graphics processor” context menu.

Preventing Recurrence

GPU assignments may reset after graphics driver updates. It's good practice to verify your Graphics Settings after major updates to prevent the issue from returning.

Exceptions and Alternative Methods

Some games with anti-cheat software (such as Easy Anti-Cheat) block OBS/SLD's "Game Capture" feature. In these cases, you'll need to use "Display Capture" or "Window Capture" instead.

Using Alternative Capture Modes

Display Capture records your entire screen, which works around most restrictions. However, it can impact performance, so only use this method if your GPU has sufficient headroom.

Time-Saving Tip

You don't need to restart SLD every time you switch capture modes. However, after changing device drivers, a restart is necessary for new settings to take effect.

Quick Q&A

Common Questions

Why does the game fail to capture or minimize when I start capturing?

Some titles block Game Capture (anti-cheat/API limits) or require elevated privileges. Run Streamlabs Desktop as administrator and, for blocked titles, use Window Capture with borderless windowed mode. Also disable third-party overlays (Steam, Discord, NVIDIA/AMD, RTSS).

Screen still black after changing capture mode?

Try turning off Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling in Windows: Settings → System → Display → Graphics → Change default graphics settings, then reboot.

Final Checklist

• Have you launched Streamlabs Desktop with administrator privileges?
• Are both the game and SLD assigned to the same GPU?
• Is your game capture mode set to "Capture specific window"?
• Have you checked if GPU settings reset after a driver update?
• For games with anti-cheat, have you switched to an alternative capture method?

FAQ

Do I need to run my game in windowed mode?

Not necessarily, but some games block capture in fullscreen mode. If you continue experiencing issues, try switching to windowed or borderless windowed mode.

Is there a difference between OBS and Streamlabs capture?

The underlying engine is similar, but Streamlabs includes additional overlay and widget features that use slightly more resources. In identical GPU configurations, expect comparable capture performance to OBS.

Can I use NVIDIA ShadowPlay alongside Streamlabs?

While you can run NVIDIA ShadowPlay alongside Streamlabs, they may compete for NVENC encoder sessions on GeForce cards. If you notice conflicts or performance drops, disable one of them.

References

• Streamlabs Official Documentation — Troubleshooting Capture Source Issues on Laptops — Covers GPU assignment, permissions, and capture modes.
• OBS Official Help — Explains game capture mode functionality and limitations.